Temporal visitors of Antarctica

There is no doubt that the Antarctic poses a formidable challenge to most living organisms. Penguins and lichens seem to be the only ones with the fortitude to hang around year-round. The rest of us are mere visitors, temporal at best. By ship or plane, crossing the Drake passage to get there, we are given permission by nature to observe its beauty. Ultimately, we move on. It is the only land where no one nation can claim sovereignty. Our anthropomorphic presence is felt as we build and temporarily occupy research stations spotted across the continent but there are no permanent residents. Places like Palmer Station weathers the storm(s) and a few researchers can take refuge there, but over time they too leave. All that is left behind are the memories of man. Lasting only for a brief time – a temporal visitor.